Halloween Costumes Online: Where to Buy?

With Halloween fast approaching, it's a good time to start looking for that perfect costume. You may have an original costume idea in mind, or maybe you're looking for a costume with a more "classic" feel. Costume choices are an important part of Halloween, especially for kids planning to trick-or-treat, or for adults hosting a Halloween party or haunted house.

If you're not handy with the needle-and-thread, you'll likely end up in a store-bought costume. Popular places to shop for packaged, ready-to-wear Halloween costumes include big-box chain stores, such as Walmart and Target, or discount stores such as Big Lots or Savers. Party stores like Party City are also a viable option when costume shopping. Many customers also choose to spend their Halloween budget online, preferring to shop from home and let the pictures and descriptions be their guide.

Purchasing Halloween costumes online may be a bit of a risk; often, these flimsy and poorly-sewn get-ups are ill fitting even when you have the benefit of trying on more than one before heading to the register. If you mistakenly order the wrong size, you will have to go through the hassle of a return and re-purchase, and get it done before Halloween night. If you plan to order your Halloween costume online, do so far enough in advance as to allow yourself time to correct any problems that may arise. Always keep your receipts and customer service information from any company you order from online.

If you are looking to buy your Halloween costume online for the sheer variety and convenience, no one can blame you. If you were looking for an adult Snow White costume, sites like Pure Costumes and Target.com each offer their own style of adult Snow White costume offer; Target's Snow White costume turns the wearer into a modern, sexy vixen Princess, while Pure Costumes offers the more traditional Snow White costume, with a full skirt and collar. The prices on these Snow White costumes vary greatly, as well: Traditional Adult Snow White costume (Pure Costumes) $35.95, Sexy, Adult Snow White costume $64.99.

Does your little one yearn to go pirate or princess for the big day? Sites like Halloween Express (linked here) offer thousands of Halloween costumes for any budget, desire, whim or gag. Costumes are available for infants, toddler, child, tween, teen and adult, and the variety is truly amazing.

The prices at Halloween Express aren't too bad, either, depending on what you choose. You can score deep discounts on a women's adult "Buccaneer" pirate costume, currently on sale for $19.99, or a male convict suit for the same price. By the same token, the store's more complete, flamboyant women's adult "Captain Booty" pirate costume is a whopping $89.99.

The child pirate costumes at Halloween Express will range from $19.99 for the most basic of outfits, $39.99 for a reasonably modest teen girl pirate costume, to $49.99 for a Deluxe Jack Sparrow getup.

Pirate and princess costumes aren't all the store has to offer, though. Not even close. You can find Renaissance costumes, sexy costumes, animal costumes, wigs, witch hats, angel wings, and much, much more. If you can dream it up, Halloween Express has the accessories you need to make your vision come alive! The site also offers free shipping on orders over $65.00, which is always a good thing.

Shopping at brick-and-mortar stores may not charge for shipping either, but they cannot begin to compare with the vast selection available on the internet today. The above mentioned sites are only but a few of the best places to score an impressive costume for Halloween. Look around and make sure you understand return and shipping policies, and again, order well in advance. If you've already waited until the last minute, you may have to pick over what's left at local stores, as it would be a shame to spend time and money to shop for and buy a costume that'll be late for the holiday.

Happy costume hunting, and an early Happy Halloween, as well! So, what are you going to be? Please leave comments (you don't have to belong to AC), and specify if you'll be wearing a costume; if so, what's your plan?; and if not, please indicate that, as well. The results might be interesting! Thanks!